Trout and NL trio highlight rookie ballots

The Baseball Writers' Association of America will hand out their first two
postseason awards on Monday when the American and National League Rookies of
the Year will be announced.

There shouldn't be much drama in the AL as Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
outfielder Mike Trout could be a unanimous selection. Meanwhile, the NL ballot
figures to center around Arizona pitcher Wade Miley, Cincinnati infielder Todd
Frazier and Washington phenom Bryce Harper.

The 21-year-old Trout, who has won every postseason rookie award this
offseason, produced a historic first season for the Angels, as he batted .326
with a .399 on-base percentage, 30 home runs, 129 runs and 49 stolen bases.

Trout, vying to become the Angels' first rookie winner since Tim Salmon in
1993, became the first player in major league history to steal 45 bases,
score 125 runs and hit 30 home runs in a single season. Additionally, he is
the only player to hit .320 or above with 30 home runs and 45 stolen bases in
a single season.

He led all rookies in nearly every offensive category and was named the
AL Rookie of the Month in May, June, July and August, becoming the first
player to claim the award in four consecutive months. He was also the first
rookie ever to record 30 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a single season.

It was also no coincidence that the Angels' ascension up the standings
coincided with Trout's recall from Triple-A Salt Lake on April 28.

While Trout will likely win in a landslide, Oakland's Yoenis Cespedes and
Texas' Yu Darvish are expected to follow him in balloting.

Over in the NL, Miley finished tied with Darvish for the major league lead
in wins among rookies with 16 and led all rookie starters with a 3.33 ERA. His
144 strikeouts were also tops among NL rookies.

The left-hander received far less attention than Frazier and, of course,
Harper, but was named the Sporting News NL Rookie of the Year earlier this
offseason.

Frazier was voted the NL's top rookie by his peers after a terrific campaign
which saw him hit .273 with a .498 slugging percentage, 19 home runs and 67
RBIs, and was among the leaders in several categories among NL rookies.

The most impressive part of Frazier's campaign is the fact that in the 47
games Joey Votto missed, he batted .305 with eight homers and 32 RBIs.

Then there is Harper, who was and still is one of the more hyped players in
recent memory.

Harper burst on the scene as a 19-year-old in late April and showed flashes of
brilliance, but ultimately ended the year hitting .270 with 22 home runs, 59
RBIs and 98 runs scored. He also stole 18 bases and played a terrific
outfield, showing outstanding range in all three spots, while gunning out
eight runners trying to take a base on him.